Bharara: Albany at ‘intersection of greed and ambition’

Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan who earlier this month announced charges against two sitting state lawmakers, said Monday that Albany can be found at the “intersection of greed and ambition” during a speech on the scandalous behavior of elected officials.

He pledged to pursue public corruption even more aggressively using every technique avaiable. In his 30-miniute speech to the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City, the federal prosecutor said he has discussed increased partnerships with the FBI and district attorneys.

But he called for legislative reforms to tighten controls on campaign spending and increase transparency. He also called for help from the press.

“If you run a newsroom, I would hope you would add reporters to the investigative side of the business,” Bharara said to 150 people gathered for breakfast group, many of whom were from criminal investigation units.

“Why is it that public officials who are supposed to hold the public trust keep breaking the law?” He asked. “I really don’t know … It requires an unrelenting collective effort to clean it up.”